SSO Committees

SSO Executive Committee

• Chair: Alejandro Alvarez Prats, NICHD (alejandro.alvarezprats@nih.gov)
• Co-Chair: Irina Arnaoutova, NICHD (irina.arnaoutova@nih.gov)
• Secretary: Nunziata Maio, NICHD (nunziata.maio@nih.gov)

SSO Ad Hoc Committees

Townhall Organizing Committee

SSO Townhalls are held at least once every two years and represent an important opportunity for Staff Scientists across all NIH institutes and centers to engage directly with our leadership, share perspectives and information, and gain insights into the future directions of our organization. This committee is in charge of planning and coordinating the SSO townhalls (in conjunction with the SSO Executive Committee).

Links to watch past SSO Townhalls are located on the Resources page.

• Co-Chair: Daman Kumari, NIDDK
• Co-Chair: May Christine Malicdan, NHGRI
• Co-Chair: Rodica Stan, NCATS

Letter of Agreement Committee

The SSO Letter of Agreement Committee is working with NIH leadership to develop a template for Staff Scientists and their supervisor(s) to define and agree on the rights and responsibilities of their Staff Scientist positions.

• Chair: Vladamir Lizunov, NHLBI
• Co-Chair: Dragana Jankovic, NIAID

Quadrennial Review Committee

The SSO Quadrennial Review Committee is working to develop best practices for Staff Scientist when they go through their review process.

• Chair: Nicole Ellis, NICHD

Displaced Staff Scientist Committee

The SSO Displaced Staff Scientist Committee is working with NIH leadership regarding NIH policies on handling displaced Staff Scientists. A displaced Staff Scientist is one whose associated PI is retiring, terminated, deceased, or otherwise separated from NIH.

• Chair: Herman Edskes, NIDDK
• Co-Chair: Chin-Hsien (Emily) Tai, NCI

Communications Committee

The SSO Communications Committee is in charge of maintaining the SSO website and SSO LinkedIn page, which includes writing posts to highlight the work of NIH Staff Scientists. This committee is also in charge of sharing information about NIH announcements, opportunities, and events that may be of particular interest for Staff Scientists. 

• Chair: Elham (Fatemeh) Navid, NIAMS